We often know the letters of the essential vitamins, but do you know what they are important for? Here’s a simple list. Remember though that vitamins have multiple uses throughout the body, this list highlights the benefits mostly for skin and overall good health. It is always better to eat a healthy diet and get your nutrients from food when you can. Sometimes your body needs a top up and some extra help at different times of year and depending on what your lifestyle is and at this time we are advised to top up on Vitamin C.
B1 heart and muscles
B2 detoxification, oxygen supply
B3 concentration and endurance
B5 good mood and vitality
B6 immune support and mental performance
B7 (H) healthy skin and hair
B9 cell renewal and regeneration
B12 cardiovascular and nervous system
C immune system, vital during stress
D bones and teeth, intestines and prostate
E free radical scavenger (antioxidant), protection of blood vessels and brain
K regulate blood clotting, strong bones
We have been advised to stock up on our Vitamin C supplements to boost our immune systems and keep colds, flu and of course keep Coronavirus contained.
Euan MacLennan, Herbal Director at Pukka Herbs and Medical Herbalist at an NHS practice in London, which has integrated herbal medicine with GP and nurse facilities. Below, Euan shares his expert opinion:
“Humans have one thing in common with guinea pigs, unlike most animals we cannot make our own vitamin C. We can make some vitamins but others, like vitamin C, our body cannot build and therefore we term them ‘essential’ i.e. it is essential we get them from our diet. This is important to know because, in order to function properly, our body needs a healthy level of all vitamins.
“Vitamin C plays an important part in our immune function by improving the activity of some white blood cells such as ‘natural killer cells’ and also allows our immune system to communicate and co-ordinate its attack against invaders. It is responsible for hundreds of processes within our body, some are minor and others are crucial. For example, vitamin C is used by our body to make proteins which are the building blocks for many of our tissues and organs.
“The Department of Health in the UK recommends that our Vitamins are best absorbed from our diet, but this is not always possible so we may need to boost our levels of vitamin intake with supplements. Unfortunately, some supplements may be either synthetically manufactured or taken in their natural form. Those in natural form are as close as we can get to the state they would be found in dietary sources, such as fruits and vegetables. This is important because natural vitamin C lasts longer in the body and is therefore remaining available to our cells for considerably longer. “
Pukka Herbs Natural Vitamin C supplements RRP £14.95 for 60 capsules
Pukka’s Natural Vitamin C is a whole fruit concentrate made from organic acerola and amla fruits. The concentrate is then bound with various flavonoids and other natural compounds from rosehips, lemon peel, bilberries and black pepper. These compounds help with the absorption of Pukka’s vitamin C into the bloodstream so it may be readily used by the body for all the important functions we mentioned above.
No matter what vitamins and other supplements you are thinking of taking, it is best to take the opinion of a professional medical doctor. Vitamin companies and their experts might tell you that this would probably be the best thing for your life. However, some vitamins might cause side-effects including allergies, stomach cramps and other serious illnesses, if your body does not accept them. Working with the Best GP in Dubai will help you understand, which vitamins, minerals and supplements you should take and which ones you should avoid.